A LOWER Gornal beauty queen has sashayed her way to the semi-finals of the Miss England competition.​Alex Robbins was a finalists in this year's Miss Black Country contest, held at The Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill, on Sunday.

She lost out on the top title to Abigail Cutler from Rowley Regis but was the second runner up.

Luckily for the 24-year-old, the Miss England Organisation gave the two runners-up another chance, by handing them a place in the Miss England semi-finals on June 11.

A dancer and charity ambassador from Rowley Regis has taken the prestigious title of Miss Black Country 2016-17.

Abigail Cutler, who said she was 'still in shock', will now go through to the Miss England semi-finals in June. She was chosen at a glittering catwalk event after two months of hard work of charity fundraising and raising publicity for the spectacle.

More than 250 friends, family and local firms attended the pageant at the Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill, at the weekend.

Jade Secker, Miss Black Country 2015-16, was also at the event to hand over her crown to Abigail.

A REDDITCH woman is in the running to be crowned Miss Black Country in the prestigious Miss England competition.Hayley Farmer was born in West Bromwich but moved to Redditch when she was young.As part of the competition, Hayley, who recently spent the day at Acorns Children's Hospice for the charity's summer fate, has to raise money for Beauty With A Purpose.The charity helps disadvantaged children across Worcestershire as well as raising cash and participating in humanitarian projects across the world.